The latest Golf is an evolution in design over the outgoing models. There are significant improvements in overall driving refinement, a much higher quality for the interior and the addition of a wider range of high-tech options. One example of the spec tech being Park Assist, where you pull up past a parallel parking spot and the car reserves into it without you touching a thing, except popping it in reverse (a little spooky the first time!). All as VW aims is to continue to please current Golf owners and to capture those downsizing.

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There are no drastic changes to the visual looks or dimensions and that will please current owners who do not wish to see their car dated overnight. The main change in design is the adoption of the new face created for the highly rated new Scirocco. Because of this, the underpinnings are more or less the same as well so the handling and body control is superb and have now raised the bar again for this sector. The new Golf is very agile, precise in its handling and really very comfortable. Even the poorest of road surfaces fails to unsettle the ride, so even around our smooth suburban street – not, your morning latte will remain unscathed on the way to work.

A new level of quality is established in the Golf with the adoption of materials and equipment usually associated with a vehicle in a higher segment. High quality, soft touch plastics are integrated with tasteful aluminium and chrome highlights. The new look is combined with advances made in reducing wind noise. This apparently includes a completely new design of door and window seal, a new sound-damping inter-layer within the laminated windscreen and a new engine mounting system – which will also keep the sound in, for those that want to get more out of their favourite tune with the volume up. The result is new levels of acoustic damping to make the new Golf the quietest yet – the diesel version is barely a whisper inside.

Building on the technical advances are new levels of safety equipment including the addition of a knee airbag for the driver (only deployed in crashes) to bring the total number of airbags fitted as standard to seven. A new head restraint system designed to reduce whiplash injuries and optional rear seatbelt detection sensors are joined by new, more advanced Electronic Stabilisation Programme (ESP) software.

There are advanced new Euro 5 petrol and common rail diesel engines. We unfortunately do not yet get the choice of the myriad of engines that are currently on offer in Europe – but the choice is still impressive. With two of my favourite TSI engines and two diesels or TDI engines with a new GTI and possibly GTD (a performance diesel) not far away.

For me the real star of the current line-up however is the Golf 1.4-litre TSI 118Kw petrol five-door, six-speed model. For retail buyers this will be the one to go for and for around $31K is good value.

There is also the option of a new seven-speed DSG twin-clutch automatic transmission which further improves fuel economy and allows for lower CO2 emission. A classic example of how new technologies really are lowering emissions. It is just a shame the new auto gearbox costs extra.

Now with the title of World Car of the Year 2009 title under its belt, if you haven’t drive a Golf and you’re in the market for new small, pop this one the shopping list.

PASSAT CC

Historically when the word coupe is used in reference to cars, you would have imaged a two door with two, maybe four, seats. That image has changed with car companies taking the translation of coup̩ (from the French verb couper, to cut) to mean just that Рwith either two or four doors.

Traditionally, buying a coupé has meant sacrificing practicality for style. With the arrival of the Mercedes CLS and BMW X6, however, things are changing. And VW is joining the revolution with its Passat-based, four-door Comfort Coupé (CC) – just another one for in the acronym book.

The low-slung coupé profile is similar to that of the sleek CLS, while the nose has a bold grille and swept-back headlamps. Pillar-less doors and LED rear lights add extra class.

The beautifully built cabin, meanwhile, resembles that of the sedan, although it’s more sophisticated here. Fresh-look dials, plus a new steering wheel and switchgear, add to the ambience.

An obvious change from the Passat is the back seat, which has room for two instead of three. The centre place has been taken over by a storage bin, and that allows for some extra bolstering on the two outboard positions. Rear headroom is surprisingly good considering the lower roofline and sub-six-footers can sit without their hair brushing the ceiling – don’t leave your sunglasses sitting on your head if you are close to six foot, or they will, as I found out, hit the ceiling. The biggest difference in the CC’s back seat is that you’ll see more interior trim and less window than you would in a regular Passat.

Starting at around $55,000, the CC costs nearly $8K more than the equivalent saloon. On the other hand, it’s half the price of the similarly styled CLS. As a result, the CC could almost be considered a bargain.

The Passat CC is an elegant sedan and a dynamic coupé simultaneously. The concept and design of this Volkswagen are defining fresh, new directions beyond the mainstream.

100,000th VOLKSWAGEN GOLF SOLD IN AUSTRALIA

The Volkswagen brand has just reached a significant milestone on the Australian market with the sale of the 100,000th Golf since the initial model introduction. The celebratory new Golf 118TSI was handed over to its proud owner, Mark Hall, by Solitaire Volkswagen Hawthorn in Adelaide.

Judging by the humble beginnings of the MkI in 1976, which then was assembled locally in Clayton, Victoria, nobody could have preempted the significance of this truly iconic model. Wheels Magazine recognised the significance of the Golf when it was named Wheel’s Car of the Year in 1976 – 4,429 Golfs were sold that year.

The first ever Golf MkI to be registered in Australia still is in the hands of its original owner, who himself was part of Volkswagen’s history. Mr Dirk Goudberg was employed as Quality Control Manager at the Volkswagen plant in Clayton, Victoria, from 1958 until 1976. His vehicle was amongst the first six Golfs to be exported to Australia in individual components to be assembled locally. The vehicle itself was completed locally in late 1974 and registered in 1975 as the first Golf in Australia.

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